“That sounds a little ominous.” Eli joked.
He wanted the conversation to take a light-hearted turn, but Liam wasn’t smiling.
“Maybe after you learn the truth, you’ll want to flee this place.”
“Not a chance,” Eli blurted. He studied the mess of scars on Liam’s arm again.
Why was Liam trying to scare him off anyway? No one had ever stood up for Eli before. When he arrived on Liam’s doorstep, he only sought refuge for a couple of days.
Eli found something better than sanctuary. Mate. Liam called him that. Eli didn’t have faulty hearing. It felt like his heart would sprout wings any moment and burst out of his chest.
He was a little giddy, excited beyond words. Eli made no other plans after coming here. He thought he would have to run forever. Eli had no particular destination in mind. Running wasn’t exactly living.
Eli could picture himself staying here. He could help Liam and his brothers run the lodge. His child could grow up here, could run rampant around the place.
He wouldn’t need to worry about a single thing, because he had a fiercely protective mate standing next to him. A simple life with a wonderful and sexy man. Was such a dream truly possible for someone like him?
7
Liam
Eli was silent throughout their afternoon walk. Three days had passed since all four of them had breakfast. Logan hadn’t uttered a single word to Liam since then. His brother even confronted him the night before while Liam had gone for a run in the woods.
Logan left him with fresh rake marks on his back. Liam also left souvenirs in turn. Logan was just trying to piss him off. If the fight was really serious, both of them would be worse off. Logan just needed more time to adjust to Eli’s presence. That was all. Eventually, Logan would have to accept that Eli wasn’t going anywhere.
“You’re quiet today,” he remarked.
Eli liked their first walk so much, they started going out into the woods every single day. Liam normally preferred to be on his own but he liked Eli’s company. Walking next to his Omega made him feel completely at ease. Liam and his brothers were often treated like freaks by the locals. Eli treated him no differently than any other person.
It was peaceful out here in his favorite section of the woods. They walked across a field of wildflowers. Liam had taken them on a different route today and wondered if Eli had noticed. He had delayed telling Eli the truth for as long as he could.
It was time for Liam to fess up. Besides, he noticed Steve’s mate mark was nearly gone by now—making Eli a free man. Liam had given Eli space. He kept his hands obediently to himself but Liam was sick of masturbating to fantasy Eli when the real deal was right in front of him.
If Liam didn’t do something about his growing desire, the pissed off grizzly inside him would go berserk. He’d probably end up doing something reckless and wound up regretting it later on.
Eli nearly stumbled over a fallen branch but Liam easily caught the Omega before Eli toppled over. Worry wormed its way inside him. Liam didn’t know why he pulled Eli close to his chest.
The Omega didn’t fight him. Eli looked relieved. Eli took Liam by surprise when he hugged Liam tightly. Eli felt so small in his arms. He knew Omegas were made of sterner stuff but what if Eli tripped and fell?
What if something happened to the baby?
“Sorry,” Eli murmured. “I’ve been a little distracted.”
“Talk to me.” Liam urged. “I’m always here to listen.”
He ran his fingers through Eli’s hair, marveling at how soft the strands were. Eli looked up at him and bit on his lower lip.
“I kept thinking about what you said three days ago. It’s selfish of me to take your protection for granted,” Eli said.
Hadn’t they discussed this already?
“It’s not selfish. I want you here.” He insisted.
Liam couldn’t stomach the thought of Eli leaving. They’d only known each other for a little while, and yet his Omega had managed to make a home in his heart. If Eli left now, Liam would be forever changed. Altered.
“I like it here, too,” Eli said with a laugh. “It’s peaceful, so different from the city I grew up in.”
Hearing that sexy sound, woke up Liam’s dick. With Eli pressed so close to him, Liam was certain the Omega could feel his reaction. Good. Liam wanted Eli to know how much Liam wanted him, how the past 72-hours felt like the ultimate test of his self-control.
Listen to what Eli’s saying, Liam remineded himself. Here was Eli, opening his heart to him and all Liam could think about was sex. This wouldn’t do. Liam needed Eli to see he didn’t just want him for sex. He also loved hanging out with him.
“I didn’t at first,” Eli babbled on. “The night I arrived at the lodge, I noticed it was falling apart. It was so silent, so empty and a little creepy. Then I met you and your brothers. You showed me these woods. I started falling a little bit in love with you, with the place.”
“Just a little bit?” He asked.
What was happening? Liam didn’t tease, didn’t flirt. With Eli, he was seeing a whole new side of himself he never thought existed. This was all thanks to Eli’s doing. Liam put up shields around himself as as self-defence mechanism but Eli managed to blast through all his walls.
“Maybe more than that,” Eli admitted. “Where are you taking me today? I noticed this route is different from the other two you’ve taken me to. This field is pretty.”
It was. Ringed by a circle of towering trees, sat a little slice of paradise. This was the clearing where Liam and his brothers buried their parents.
He released Eli from his embrace and held
